Work-bench.



E. W. HOWELL. ,WORK BENCH.

' APPLICATION FlLED'DEC-B. l9|6.

1,235,568. PatentdAug.,7, 1917.

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3 SHEEIS-S'HEET 2.

Patented Aug. 7-, 1917.

E. W. HOWELL.

WORK BENCH. APPLICATION 11.20 DEC.8.-l9I6.

E. w, HOWELL. WORK BENCH.-'

APPLICATION FILED DECZB. 1.9]6.

Patented Aug. 7, 1917.

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I aliI ozwau ELIAS w. HOWELL, OFCAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

WORK-BENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. December 8, 1916. Serial N 0. 135,895.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIAS W. HOWELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Camden, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Work-Benches, ofwhich the following is a specification.

'My invention consists of an improved work bench or supportingstructure. includ ing adjustable clamping means which renders itespecially useful for carpenters and metal workers. However, it can beused advantageously for any purpose where it is desired to firmly clampand support articles of various types. I

One object of my invention is to provide a supporting structureincluding clamping means which can be quickly and easily operated topositively secure pieces of wood, metal, or other articles so that theycan be planed, sawed, or otherwise operated upon.

by one or more persons.

Another object is to so form my invention that it will be of simpleconstruction and can be manufactured and sold at reasonably low cost.

These objects, and other advantageous ends which will be describedhereinafter, I attain in the following manner, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective viewrepresenting my invention constructed in the form of a carpenters orworkmans bench.

Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged section taken I on the line aa of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on a larger scale than shown in Fig. 2and having a portion brokenaway in order to show in'detail certain ofthe elements shown in' the upper portion of Fig. 2. V v

Fig. a is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line Z/b of Fig.1.

5'is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 0 0 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse 'sectlon taken on the line 0Zd ofFig. 1. r

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section takenon the the line ee of Fig. 1. 1 'Fig.8 is a perspective view of a readily removable clampingvsection which Iemploy.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a toothed jawwhich I use in connectionwlth a vise show'nin Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectionalview taken on the line ff of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11' is a fragmentary section showing a modified form ofadjustingmeans'which I may employ.

Referringto the drawings, 1=is a sup. portlng frame having legs 2, whichare connected by longitudinal beams 3 and transverse beams 4 at thebottom, and longitudinal beams 5 and transverse beams 6 at the top.These legs and beams are preferably secured by bolts 7 so as to form arigid sup porting frame. 1 7

To the outside of the legs 2 and upper Patented Aug. 7,1917;

beams 5 and6, are secured end boards 8 and side boards 9. One of theside boards 9,

which as illustrated represents the front of the bench, comprises aplurality of continuous strips 10 which are tongued and grooved in! theordinary manner of floor boards.

These boards are secured to the frontlegs 2 and are spaced apart toreceive two series of sliclable sections 11. the exception ofclamp-carrying sections 12,

are tongued and grooved on opposite sides to I register with the tongueand grooves of the These sections, with 7 adjacent strips between whichthey slide, so 7 that the sections 11 will move longitudinally betweenthe strips 10, but cannot be removed laterally. In other words,-in orderto remove these sections it is necessary to slide them to one end of.the bench soas to pull them longitudinally out of the grooves.

The ends of the sections 11 are grooved as shown at 13in Fig. 10 toreceive end tenons 14 which arelocated at the opposite ends of thesections 12. The sections 12 are provided with clamps 12 including ahinged clamping plate 15. Theseclamps when not 1 m use, are movable intorecesses 16 by means of adjusting screws 17, so that their outer surfaceis flush with the outer surface of said sections.

Each of the plates 15 is movable outwardly by a spring 15* whenthe'adjusting screw 17 is loosened (see Fig.10). These sections-12areinterchangeable with any of the sections 11 and are movable relativelytoward each other between the strips 10 by clamp screws as willhereinafter be set forth.

The top' ofthe bench comprises a plurality of boards or strips 18 which'are secured to I the beams 6 by any suitable means and are,

spaced apart. These boards 18 are tongued;

ing block 29 through which passes a and, grooved in a manner similar tothe strips 10, and have slidable between them, a plurality of series ofslidable sections 19, said sections 11 above described.

Inter-posed between the ends of the sections 19, are sections 20 whichare similar to the sections 12 and are provided with hinged clampingplates 21 which are designed when not in use to fit within recesses 22,each of said clamping plates being movable out-. 'wardly by a coiledspring 23 and movable inwardly by an adjusting screw 24.

The sections 11 and the sections 19 serve as filling pieces. Sections 25and 26 are secured to the frame adjacent one end of the bench and act asthrust members to limit the sliding movement of said sections in onedirection.

A section 27 is provided with a clamp 28 similar to the clamp 12 and hasa dependplain portion 30 of a clamping screw 31. This screw is permittedto turn within said block, but longitudinal movement relative thereto isprevented by means of a head 32 on said clamping screw, and a pin 33which is projected therethrough and engages the inner surface 34 of theblock 29, said head 32 engaging the outer surface of said block.

A handle 35 slidably engages the head 32 and facilitates the turning ofsaid screw 31.

A plate 36 constitute a nut and has a thread ed opening which is engagedby the screw 31. This plate 36 is secured within the end board asclearly shown in Fig. 5, and it will be understood that a turning ofsaid screw effects a longitudinal sliding movement of the section 27toward or from the other sections which are in line with said section27.

It will be noted that there is a plate 36 5 directly below each of thespaces between the boards 18 and also there is a plate 36 directlyadjacent the spaces between the strips 10 in the front of the bench, sothat said section 27 may engage between any of the spaces provided bythe boards 18 or the strips 10, and in each case the clamping screw 31will engage the tapped opening of a respective plate 36.

Any of the sections 12 or 20 may be re moved by giving them an upwardtilting will be noted that instead of providing the movement as shown indot-and-dash lines in Fig. 6 after adjacent filling pieces have beenmoved longitudinally a sufficient distance to free the end tenons ofsaid sections, since it regular groove on one of the edges of thesections 12 or 20, as is provided in the sec tions 11 or 19, said edgeof either of the sections 12 and 20 merely has a flange 37 7 (see Fig.6), so that it maybe raised and readily removed. This constructionprevents the necessity of movlng all of the sections out of the spacesin orderjto remove 19 being similar to the sections oneof the clampsections 12 or 20, since it will be noted that it'is often desirable tomove said clamp sections to different positions in order to suit andbind different sized objects. V V

' The clamp section 27 has its hinged clamp plate pointing in adirection opposite to the hinged clamp plates of the sections 12 and 20as illustrated, so that a piece of wood or other article -may be boundbetween the clamp on the section 27 and clamps on any of the sections 12or 20.

All of said sections as above mentioned may be made of wood, but I havealso illustrated two series of metallic sections 38 and 39 which arearranged respectively on the top and front side of the bench adjacentthe edge 40 thereof. These series 38 and 39 comprise filling sections 41and 42 respectively which are similar in all respects except size, withthe sections 19 and 11 respectively.

I have also illustrated a clamping section 43 in said series 38 and haveprovided the same with clamps 44 and 45. The clamp 44 extends in thedirection of said series, while the clamp 45 extends transversely.

The sections 41 and 42 are in tongue and groove connection with insertedtongue and grooved rails 46 which are spaced apart and secured to thetop and front of the bench. An active slidable section 47 is providedwith a clamp 48 which is substantially the same as the clamp 12 and hasa. depending portion 49 designed to receive a plain portion 50 of aclamping screw 51. This depending portion 49 is confined between a head52 and a pin 53 on said clamping screw. A plate 54 forms a nut and has athreaded opening in which the clamping screw 51 turns.

A handle 55 is slidably secured within the head 52 and serves tofacilitate the turning of the screw 51. It will be noted that with thisconstruction that the section 47 receives a longitudinal movementbetween the rails 46 to move its clamp toward or from the clamp 44. Thethreaded opening in the plate 54 is so located with respect to the twoseries 38 and 39 of movable sections that the section 47 may be moved toactuate either' of said series 38 or 39, so that said clamping screw 51may always operate within the plate 54.

I also provide a vise 56 and a jaw 57 having a toothed edge 58, said jawbeing substantially L-shape and having bolt slots 59 so as to permit itto be adjustably secured to the top of said vise 56. I also preferablyprovide a clamp 60 on the top of the bench opposite the aw 57 so thatma- R edge 62 of the bench have blocks 63" provided with lateral ribs 64which slide within the grooves of said recesses 61.

Each of the blocks 63 carries aclamp of similar construction to theclamp 12 and has a depending nut 65 which is engaged by the threaded end66 of atransversely extending bar 67, the latter extending entirelyacross the bench and having a winged head 68 which engages the outersurfaces of either of two recessed plates 69 which are set in the frontof the bench as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. a I

A pin 70 extends through the bar 67 and engages the rear surface of saidplates 69 to prevent longitudinal movement of the bar 67 when turned;however, it will be noted that a turning movement of said bar causes arelative slidingmovement of the block 63 within either of the recesses61, and I preferably mount clamps 71 on the upper surface of thetable indirect alinement with the path of movement of the block 63'within eitherof the recesses 61.

I have illustrated two recesses 61, but it will be noted that any numberof these recesses and any number of plates 69 may be provided accordingto the length of the bench. With this construction it will be noted thatapiece of'wood or other article may be clamped between the clamps 71 andthe clamp which is carriedby the'block 63.

While I have described and illustrated a specific number of the slidablesections having pivoted clamping plates therein, it will be noted that agreater or smaller number of these sections may be employed andinterchanged at will.

Furthermore, the specific form of section clamps which I haveillustrated and described may be varied, but I prefer to use a clamphaving a portion which may be movable beyond the surface of the benchwhen needed for use and which can be moved either flush or below thesurface of the bench when not in use so as not to. injure or inter- Vfere with the manipulation of articles over the bench.

It will be noted from Fig. 1 that the clamp 45 on the section 43 mayalso be used in connection with the clamp on the block 63 to secure anarticle to the supporting structure.

In Fig. 11, instead of having a flat plate as shown at 36 and 5A in theother figures of said drawing, I employ a nut 72 which has flanges orcars 7 3 which are secured in the recesses formed in the inner surfaceof the end board 8. This gives a long screwthreaded contact portion forthe clamp screw and is desirable when my invention is used for heavywork. In all other respects the elements illustrated in Fig. 11 aresimilar to those illustrated in Fig. 5, and I have given the samereference numerals. V

While I have described my invention as taking a particular form, it willbe understood that the various parts of my invention may be changedwithout'departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself. to the precise construction set forth, but consider that I am atliberty to make such changes and'alterations as fairly come, within thescope of the appended claims.

sliding certain of said'sections toward and from each other,substantially as'described. 2. A supporting structure having meansproviding a slide-way, and a series of slid ablesections movable withinsaid slide-way,

said sections having tongue and groove connection one with the other andwith the means forming said slide-way, certain of said sectionshavingcla'mping members, and meansfor moving certain of said sectionstoward or from described. V

3., A work bench having means providing a slide-way, and a series ofslidable sections movable within said slide-wa'yj said sections havingtongue and groove connection with said means and deslgned to abut eachother,

each other, substantially as certain of said sections having clampingmembers, a member secured to said supporting structure and having athreaded opening, a clamping screw supported by one of said sections anddesigned to engage the threaded opening in said member whereby theturning of said screw effects a relative movement of said latter sectionwith respect to said other sections, said sections being substantiallyflush with the outer surface of said bench, substantially as described.

4. A work bench having means providing a plurality of slide-ways, aseries of sections slidably mounted in said slide-ways, said sectionshaving tongue and groove connection with said means, independentlymovable clamping members, said clamping members being movable beyond theouter surface of said sections, and means for moving certain of saidsections of each series toward or from each other, substantially asdescribed.

5. A supporting structure having means providing a slide-way, and aseries of slidable sections movable within said slide-way, said sectionshaving tongue and groove connection one with the other and with the 75Having thus described my invention, what means forming said slide-Way,certain of said sections havmg clamping members, means forming anabutment for one of the end sections of said series, and means formoving the section at the opposite end of said series toward or from'theother of said sections, substantially as described.

'6. A supporting structure having means providing slide-way, and aseries of slidable sections movable Within said slide-way, said sectionshaving tongue and groove connection one with the other and With themeans forming said slide-way, certain of said sections having clampingmembers, means forming an abutment for one of the end sections of saidseries, and means for moving the section at the opposite end of saidseries toward or from the other of said sections, said latter sectionhaving a clamping member thereon co-active with a clamp ing member onone of said other sections, substantially as described.

7. A Work bench including a top having a grooved recess formed in oneedge thereof, said recess including elongated grooves providingguide-ways, a blocklocated Within the recess and having a portionslidably fitting said guideways, means operative from the opposite edgeof the bench for moving said block in said recess, said block having itstop substantially flush With the top of the bench and being providedwith a clamping member thereon, and an adjustable clamping member onsaid bench oppositely disposed to said other clamping member,substantially as described.

8. A Work bench including a top having a recess formed in one edgethereof, a block slidable within said recess and having its uppersurface flush with the upper surface of said top, a clamping member onsaid block and movable into a position above the upper surface of saidblock, means forming a slideway on said top extending at an angle tosaid recess, means movable Within said latter slideways, a clampingmember on said latter means, said latter clamping member being movableinto a position oppositely disposed to the clamping member on the block,and means operative from the edge of the bench opposite said recess formoving said block Within the recess, substantially as described.

9. The combination of a bench, a vise thereon, a toothed jaw adjustablysecured to said vise, and capable of being moved above the upper levelof the bench, and a clamping member on said bench oppositely disposed tothe toothed j aw on said vise, substantially as described. 7

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ELIAS HOVELL.

Witnesses RHODA E. GILLIES, CHAS. E. Porrs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Eatentcs, Washington, D. G.

